This article has been written with the support of our University and Careers Guidance Counsellors:
As a high school student, you are in your final years of school, ready to bid goodbye to your schooling years and look forward to a future of higher education, career trajectories and new possibilities! But as you stand at the crossroads, you might struggle a little with the new decisions you have to make about which country to head to, which universities and institutions to enroll in and which courses to choose.
The world is now your oyster but the fear of not making the right decisions may be daunting. The struggle is very real and we can empathise!
The good news is, many other graduates have been in a similar position before and our University and Careers Guidance Counsellors Tom Walton and Mariola Meyer have seen many of their dilemmas through. Hear directly from our experts on what they have to say about choosing the right university and course of studies as well as coping with the challenges that come with making this major transition from high school to higher education.
Choosing A University
Students’ university searches should begin with a focus on which course of degree they wish to study. They should begin by having a good idea of which courses interests them as they select universities that they may be interested in applying to. For both aspects, finding a ‘good fit’ should be the main aim.
Step One: Choose an undergraduate course that matches the student’s interests, skills and attributes.
Step Two: Find universities which offers this course but is also a good fit for the student in terms of academia and social environment.
Step Three: The intensive researching stage – evaluating universities that are of interest. It is advisable to use criteria-based evaluation by examining both admissions requirements and broader social factors for universities of interest and narrowing down the search to focus on universities (and courses) that prospective students are well suited for.
Step Four: Start planning stage two of the search: visit the shortlisted universities as much as possible (in person or online)!
Choosing Your Area of Studies
Talk about your course interests with your teachers, parents, guidance counsellors and graduates from GESS who are currently pursuing similar courses at a university. A student’s high school academic subjects need to support a course choice, but passion and curiosity for the program are just as important for a good fit.
To help with this process, students can utilize My Uni Choices under the University Guidance programme at GESS. This is a detailed online evaluation which could assist in matching the student’s interests and abilities with suitable undergraduate courses; it also connects the student’s course areas with possible career pathways. This evaluation exercise is a part of our guidance work with all Grade 11 students, and we encourage individuals to share their My Uni Choices report with their parents.
Other ways to explore possible areas of undergraduate study include attending online lectures and taster days offered by universities or trying one’s hand at some online courses (via Coursera or the Open University, perhaps) to get a feel for what a subject is like to study at university.
Parents’ Role
What role can parents play in helping their children make decisions about higher education, courses, university choices?
An important way in which parents can support their children would be to assist them in finding a ‘good fit’ for their higher education as the search for undergraduate courses and universities begins. It may be uncomfortable to hear that your son or daughter doesn’t want to follow the academic (and possibly career) pathway that you see as the way forward for them, but it’s vital for you to listen to how they feel about future study plans. Allow them to share their preferences regarding what they wish to study and where they would like to attend university.
As parents, you have a significant voice in the discussions surrounding your children’s post-GESS choices – after all, you are likely to be funding some or all of the costs involved! Nevertheless, it should be a two-way conversation. Naturally, there will be times when students reveal potential future pathways to their parents that are unrealistic due to factors such as the cost of tuition fees or geographical location. Taking the time to explain carefully why an option favoured by your son or daughter is not something you are able to support will help them to accept the situation. It is also an important part of establishing that an alternative plan may be needed.
Experience in the guidance office has shown us that more successful post-GESS outcomes occur when families have started discussions concerning future options well in advance of Grade 12. Moreover, the students who tell us that their parents are involved and supportive – and have not imposed their own preferences on the decision-making process – are frequently those whose challenging transition from GESS to independent living at university is a happy one.
Avoid Common Mistakes
We find that students who begin the higher education research process early and create an effective ‘long list’ of possible university courses and destinations are less likely to encounter problems in their decision-making process. Taking the time to explore course content fully, checking universities’ academic entry requirements carefully and noting the application deadlines are all ways to avoid some of the pitfalls that can catch the unprepared (or those who leave applications to the last moment) by surprise.
In addition, we always advise students to avoid ‘putting all their eggs in one basket’ by applying only to a single university. Having a back-up plan (a ‘safety’ or ‘insurance’ option) is vital for Grade 12 students, so we encourage them to devise an application plan that includes at least one alternative university destination.
Finding accommodation is another area that can cause problems if students did not do their research well in advance. They should be fully informed of the accommodation options at a university that interests them. Key questions to ask include: is accommodation available on campus? Are all first-year students guaranteed a place if it is? If there is no accommodation available on campus, does the university have an accommodation office that helps incoming students find a place to stay using the private rental market?
Connect With The University and Alumni
If students already have an idea of a university that could be a ‘good fit’ for them, they should find a way to visit the university and get a feel of what it is really like as a place to be (travel restrictions permitting, of course). If possible, they should try to visit when classes are in session, take a tour of the residential options and eat lunch in the cafeteria. Universities offer Open Days and Taster Lectures throughout the year, with virtual versions of both options becoming more common now, students should sign up for these events. In short, explore the environment of a university of interest and find out more about the student-life there.
Come and speak to us in the university guidance office to find out if we know any recent GESS graduates who is attending the university of your interest. Our alumni are always happy to help current students: speaking to a GESS graduate is a great way to get an idea of what the transition to a particular university may look like for you!
